Diversity and abundance of wild birds species’ in two different habitats at Sharkia Governorate, Egypt

Abstract Background Birds’ survey is the best method to understand different species distribution, abundance, and diversity. The present study aimed to survey wild birds, using point count method, in two habitat types (water canals and field crops) at two districts, Zagazig and Hehia, located at Sharkia Governorate, Egypt. Methods Surveying birds was conducted using point count method, from a fixed raising position within a circle of 50 m radius for a specific period of time (10 min) at every point. It started early in the morning, from 6 am to 8 am, at four points in two habitat types, agriculture water canals habitat (AWCH) and field crops habitat (FCH), in (Zagazig and Hehia) at Sharkia Governorate, Egypt. Each point count was visited once every month from December 2016 to November 2017. Results The total number of birds’ species recorded in the two districts was 33, belonging to 24 Families and ten Orders. Twenty-five species were resident birds and eight species were migratory. The number of birds’ species (resident and migratory) in AWCH was higher than those in FCH. Resident wild birds at AWCH had higher value of species diversity (Shannon-Weiner Diversity Index H′ = 2.63, Simpson Diversity Index D = 0.90, Evenness J′ = 0.82 and Species richness r = 25) than at FCH (H´ = 2.56, D = 0.89, J′ = 0.83, and r = 22). In contrast, species diversity for migratory wild bird was lower in WCH (H′ = 1.66, D = 0.74, J′ = 0.80, and r = 8) than in FCH (H′ = 1.81, D = 0.78, J′ = 0.87, and r = 8). Conclusion Birds species (resident and migratory) numbers and abundance were higher in AWCH according to the habitat suitability than in FCH.